[Report] Conflicts Continue Between Conservative Groups at 'Suyo Protest' Venue... 'Pyeonghwa no Sonyeosang' Remains Covered

'Wednesday Demonstrations' Return to In-Person... Conservative Groups' Backlash Turns Rally Site into Chaos
Conservative Groups "We Reported the Rally First" vs Anti-Japan Action "We Will Protect the Statue" Clashing for Over a Year

On the afternoon of the 10th, the 1517th regular Wednesday rally is taking place in front of the Yonhap News Agency building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yoon Seulgi seul97@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] "Nihon seifu wa shazai shiyo." (Japanese government, apologize.)

On the afternoon of the 10th, the 1517th regular Wednesday demonstration held in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, began with learning Japanese phrases. 'Nihon seifu wa shazai shiyo' means 'Japanese government, apologize.' The Wednesday demonstration has been held every Wednesday at noon in front of the Japanese Embassy in Korea since January 8, 1992, demanding a resolution to the issue of Japanese military 'comfort women.'

Due to concerns over large-scale COVID-19 infections, gatherings had been restricted, and the Wednesday demonstrations were held online. However, since November 1, with the transition to a 'gradual return to daily life' (With Corona) quarantine system, in-person gatherings have been permitted. A representative from the Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeon), which leads the Wednesday demonstrations, said, "Before COVID-19, many students and citizens came to join the protests. But due to the pandemic, for over a year, the demonstrations were held online or as solo protests, quietly near the statue of the girl. Now, it is heartening to see many citizens coming again as before."

However, the Wednesday demonstration was not held next to the 'Statue of Peace.' The conservative group Liberty Solidarity, which has held demonstrations in that spot for nearly twenty years, occupied the location, so Jeonguiyeon held the protest about 15 meters away in front of the Yonhap News building. Liberty Solidarity had filed the prior demonstration notice, and Banil Action opposed vacating the space due to concerns about damage to the 'Statue of Peace,' leading to repeated clashes between the two sides.

Banil Action is a group advocating for the purge of pro-Japanese forces and has been conducting overnight and sit-in protests in front of the statue. The overnight protest began in 2015 in opposition to the hasty handling of the Korea-Japan agreement on comfort women, and the sit-in protest started last June opposing a conservative group's plan to hold a demonstration against the Wednesday protest in front of the former Japanese Embassy.

The scenes of anti-Japanese actions and conservative groups facing off./Photo by Seulgi Yoon seul97@

Clashes between the two sides over the space near the 'Statue of Peace' continued. Conservative groups such as Liberty Solidarity, the Banil Statue Truth Investigation Joint Countermeasure Committee, and the National Action to Abolish the Comfort Women Law simultaneously held counter-protests against Jeonguiyeon's Wednesday demonstration, with conservatives repeatedly shouting "Comfort women fraud" through loudspeakers, Taegukgi flags wrapped around them, banging pots and pans. Dozens of police deployed to prevent clashes and nearby pedestrians became entangled, turning the demonstration site into chaos.

Conservative groups like Liberty Solidarity claim that since they filed the demonstration notice first for the space near the 'Statue of Peace,' Banil Action's occupation of the area is illegal.

A man in his 60s, Mr. A, met at the Liberty Solidarity tent located about 3 meters from the statue, said, "Isn't holding a demonstration a right of Korean citizens? Liberty Solidarity filed the demonstration notice first, so (towards Banil Action occupying part of the space next to the statue) such illegal occupation is wrong. What are they doing setting up tents in the middle of Seoul?" Banil Action had set up tents behind the 'Statue of Peace' out of concern that far-right groups might damage the statue.

A conservative group, the National Action for the Abolition of the Comfort Women Law, is holding a sign that reads, "Why are Japanese military comfort women who contracted with pimps considered sex slaves?" Photo by Yoon Seulgi seul97@

Another citizen in his 50s, Mr. B, who said he came out of concern for Korea-Japan relations, said, "The building in front of the statue, floors 7 to 8, is used as the Japanese Embassy, and I worry that Korea-Japan relations might worsen. Prime Minister Kishida led the Korea-Japan agreement on comfort women. If they act like this after the agreement is done, how do you think Japan would feel?"

Despite ongoing clashes between conservative groups and Banil Action, citizens participated in the Wednesday demonstration, calling for an apology from the Japanese government. The protest inside the police-installed fence included groups such as the Peace Butterfly Network, Bucheon Citizens' Coalition, and Travel School Road School, and despite the confusion, the gathering proceeded relatively calmly.

Mr. C, a citizen in his 60s who attended the Wednesday demonstration in an electric wheelchair, said amidst the chaotic scene with voices from both sides mixed, "Maybe because it rained yesterday, it's cold, but I feel good being here at the protest site."

Mr. C, who said he has participated since the first Wednesday demonstration, said, "When I was young, there was no education about Japanese military 'comfort women' at all. I first learned about the comfort women issue from the drama 'Eyes of Dawn,' and later, by participating in protests and listening to stories, I learned a lot." 'Eyes of Dawn' is an MBC drama aired in 1991 that was the first work to address the Japanese military 'comfort women' issue.

The 'Statue of Peace' is not visible as it is covered by a large sign installed by anti-Japan activists due to concerns of vandalism by conservative groups.
Photo by Seulgi Yoon seul97@

Kim Young-hwan, Director of External Cooperation at the Institute for Korean Historical Issues, emphasized that active citizen action is necessary to resolve the conflict occurring in front of the 'Statue of Peace.' Kim said, "The place where the 'Statue of Peace' stands has become a symbol of women's peace and human rights through 28 years of Wednesday demonstrations. It is disrespectful for conservative groups with political motives to come and insult the victims of comfort women, disregarding the history of women's rights they have led."

Kim added, "For the 'Statue of Peace' to continue existing as a global site for peace education, citizens need to maintain continuous interest, such as by actively participating in the Wednesday demonstrations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.